archives

Vol. LVII                                                                                                April 10, 2009
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Kicking off the spring season at Parting Glass Racing

Information provided by Margaret Beaton, Executive Assistant to Tom Gallo, Managing Member of Parting Glass Racing.

On March 29, a fortuitously named maiden, Hooked on Hope stepped onto the Gulfstream track for her very first race.  It had been a long ride.  All the early training, waiting for her to mature then a long series of work-outs and finally the luck of the draw all came together last month for this Parting Glass Racing filly.

She overcame some odds to beat a field of well-bred fillies.  It seemed every top trainer in Florida had an entry in the 11/6 turf contest, but when it was over it was Hooked on Hope (HOH) by a head.

There was so much enthusiasm from her win that one of her owners was inspired to write this poem:

When she set foot on the Gulfstream grass
She was the picture of grace and class
Her coat glistened in the mid-day sun
The tote board said she was 20-1
Breaking from the gate like a seasoned vet
She raised the spirits of those who bet
Behind the pacesetters in good position
She was poised for stiff competition
The jock was patient down the backside
Biding time 'til she hit her best stride
On the far turn she angled to the right
Passed the leaders with the wire in sight
As she surged to the lead hearts missed a beat
When the closers moved up with flying feet
The 6 in the middle, the 1 outside

But HOH on the rail would not be denied
She won by a head according to the chart
But the margin was a mile if you measure heart
by John Herko

Some quotes and such from Margaret:

“Well, some members went to the IRS window and some didn't. Those who didn't are still trying to figure out how they are going to cash in and not share with Uncle Sam. We won't name names and aren't concerned.”

“The one we are concerned about is a certain young woman who the EMT's are still trying to peel off the ceiling of her living room. Her fingernails are so deeply embedded in the 2x4's after launching skyward as she cheered HOH to the finish line, they can't seem to pry her loose. They should have her extricated soon and we will keep you updated on that.”

“What a race! What a race! If you haven't figured it out by now, Hooked on Hope won the 3rd race at Gulfstream Park yesterday by a neck.” 

“It was one of those races where all of a sudden you are just screaming like a banshee and doing all kinds of physical things you haven't done in years. The chiropractors will be busy today!”

“I guess Derek was right when he said she was just starting to come into herself. After a perfectly timed ride from Alan Garcia who had her very relaxed on the backside, Hooked On Hope launched into her drive at the top of the stretch with her ears pinned and look of gritty determination on her face.  She would not be denied. She put her head down and with each surge of Alan's hands, she kept her head just enough in front to get there and get the job done. One member switched and canceled flights three times so I am glad we got that close and prevailed. It was worth all the time we waited and it is a very amazing thing when it all comes together. HOH came out of the race just fine.” 

Here's the quote from the newsletter: 

"Our first horse, our first race and a WINNER... I have dreamed about a day like this for over 40 years and today my dream was realized..........WOW."
                                                                                                              Hooked On Hope owner

Editors note—
On March 26, I attended the monthly meeting of Parting Glass Racing  I was not only treated to the excitement of this race and seeing the replay; I also enjoyed hearing a couple of nationally recognized handicappers lend their expertise to the Kentucky Derby.  Seth Merrow  the publisher of Equidaily.com which is one of the most popular sources of daily horse racing news was there along with Kyle Brownell.  Merrow is also a host/handicapper on Capital OTB-TV.  Kyle Brownell is the handicapper and racing analyst for the Glens Falls Post-Star and is a regular television host of several programs on Capital OTB-TV.

This is typical of the monthly meetings for Parting Glass Racing—educational, entertaining forums are always a part of each of their monthly gatherings.  The syndicate business takes a few minutes, everyone can enjoy food and beverages at the Parting Glass Pub and the social side of the evening is always fun.  The meetings are free and open to the public so remember to look on-line for www.PartingGlassRacing.com  or call 518 587-5550 and come out for a relaxing evening.  The meetings are typically on the 3rd Thursday of each month and always at 7:00 p.m.
Catch Derby Fever with Parting Glass Racing: Come to their final Derby Handicapping meeting on April 30th.  Nick Kling & Kyle Brownell will be there to lead to the best bets for the first Saturday in May.

Marilyn Lane
Editor-in -Chief

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Pastel Gal Carries Sackatoga Colors into Deep South Beach Water

Trainer Barclay Tagg and Sackatoga Stable general partner Jack Knowlton thought that 5-year-old Pastel Gal earned a chance in a black-type race after two come-from-behind allowance victories this season at Gulfstream Park, and Saturday's $50,000 South Beach Stakes at 7½ furlongs on turf was their chosen target.

"It looks like the water is pretty deep in there," said Knowlton Thursday morning. "But we're here and she's never been better, so we'll take our chances. I talked to Robin (assistant trainer Robin Smullen) after the entries came out and she said that it looked like a Grade 2 stakes.

"We've got the leading rider (Jose Lezcano) and some of the more accomplished horses in there are coming off layoffs," said Knowlton, who emerged a familiar figure on the national racing scene as Sackatoga's Funny Cide carried the burgundy and gray diamonds colors to victory in the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) for Tagg.

"Pastel Gal is the last of the horses we bought for the original partnership," said Knowlton. "We bought her for $100,000 at a New York-bred sale, but she doesn't have a New York pedigree by Lemon Drop Kid out of a Theatrical mare. We have nine horses currently and about 70 people involved in the various partnerships."  Indeed, the full field of 14 fillies and mares entered in the South Beach includes a Grade 2 winner at Belmont Park, a Group 2 winner in France, a Grade 3 winner in New Jersey and several others that are either graded-stakes-placed or winners of non-graded events.

Darley Stable's 4-year-old Raw Silk won the Sands Point Stakes (G2) at Belmont last spring for trainer Tom Albertrani and will be making her first start since November. Jedburgh Stud's 5-year-old French-bred mare All Is Vanity was a Group 2 winner at Chantilly in France as a 3-year-old in 2007 and twice graded-stakes placed in the U.S. for trainer Christophe Clement last year. She will be making her first start since October.

Editor’s Note:
ThoroFan wishes Pastel Gal a great run.